Waist-to-Hip Ratio: A Better Predictor of Health Risk Than BMI
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) measures the relative circumference of your waist versus your hips. Because it captures where your body stores fat — not just how much — it is considered a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome than BMI alone.
How to measure correctly
Measure your waist at its narrowest point, usually just above the navel, after a normal exhale. Measure your hips at the widest point across the buttocks. Divide waist by hip circumference. Our WHR calculator does this automatically once you enter the two measurements in your preferred unit.
What the number means
WHO classifies a WHR above 0.90 for men and above 0.85 for women as high risk — these people carry more abdominal fat, which is more metabolically active and dangerous than fat stored on the thighs or buttocks. Even at a normal BMI, a high WHR is a red flag.
WHR and BMI together
The two metrics complement each other. A normal BMI with a high WHR may indicate "normal-weight obesity" — the person has a healthy total weight but an unhealthy fat distribution. Using both gives a more complete picture than either alone.